Implementation of dialectical behavior therapy in reducing self-harm behavior and risk of suicide in adolescents and young adults: a scoping review

Objective This review aimed to explore and map interventions of DBT in reducing self-harm behavior and suicide risk in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Method This scoping review follows the Arksey & O’Malley (2005) approach, which includes five main stages: formulating the research question, identifying relevant studies, selecting studies based on inclusion criteria, compiling and organizing the data, and synthesizing and reporting the findings. A literature search was conducted in four major databases: Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, and ProQuest. Inclusion criteria included studies that examined the application of DBT in the AYA context and measured outcomes related to self-harm and suicide. Results Of the 1,551 records found, 10 studies were included in the final review. These studies demonstrated that DBT, particularly its adaptation for adolescents (DBT-A), is effective in reducing the frequency of self-harming behaviors and suicidal ideation in AYA. Key components of DBT reported included weekly individual therapy, group skills training, and telephone coaching to support skills implementation. However, variations in the format, duration, and intensity of DBT affected the consistency of the findings. Conclusion DBT has been shown to be effective in reducing self-harm behavior and suicide risk in AYAs, but further research is needed to understand the factors influencing the success of this therapy, including the optimal duration and contribution of each DBT component. Future dismantling trials and longitudinal studies are needed to optimize the implementation of DBT in the AYA context.